Arsenal Strike Verbal Deal for £22M Ecuadorian Wonderkid Defender

As Dean Huijsen heads to Madrid, Arteta secures South America’s next big centre-back.

Arsenal have reportedly secured a verbal agreement to sign a 20-year-old Ecuadorian centre-back in a deal worth £22 million, just as Dean Huijsen prepares to join Real Madrid from Juventus.

While the player’s name remains under wraps pending final paperwork, sources confirm:

A five-year contract has been agreed

The defender is expected in London within days for his medical

The package includes appearance-based add-ons and European qualification bonuses

Described as “aggressive, intelligent, and composed on the ball”, the Ecuadorian talent fits Mikel Arteta’s blueprint for modern defenders — capable of building from the back and physically competing in the Premier League. The youngster is viewed as a long-term partner for Saliba and Gabriel, potentially evolving into a future mainstay of the Gunners’ defensive line.

A club source told Sport Web:

> “He’s exactly the profile we’ve been monitoring. The agreement is there. Now it’s about signatures and formalities.”

This signing continues Arsenal’s strategy of investing in elite young talent, bolstering their squad with depth and potential as they look to challenge for silverware in both England and Europe.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s acquisition of Dean Huijsen adds to their defensive riches, joining Rüdiger, Militão, and Alaba in what’s becoming an imperial wall of talent.

Official confirmation of Arsenal’s new signing is expected by next week.